Europe Explained

EU calls for intensified efforts to solve trade disputes with U.S.

The European Union on Wednesday called for intensified efforts to resolve trade disputes with the United States after Washington kept in place tariffs on European aircraft and other goods. "The Commission acknowledges…

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EU declares Belarus elections “neither free nor fair”

In a strongly-worded statement, the European Union, through its High Representative, has condemned developments in Belarus, saying that the people of Belarus had clearly demonstrated the desire for democratic change. However,…

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EU commission to support 23 new research projects on coronavirus pandemic

The Commission will support 23 new research projects with €128 million in response to the continuing coronavirus pandemic. The funding under Horizon 2020, the EU's research and innovation programme, is…

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EU health agency warns of “true resurgence” of Covid-19

The European Union’s health agency has called on member states that are seeing an increase in cases of coronavirus to reinstate control measures, while it warned of a “true resurgence”…

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EU pledges additional 30 million euros to Lebanon

At the international conference on assistance and support to Beirut and the Lebanese people, the European Commission has pledged a new funding worth €30 million to help address the immediate…

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Italy seeks 28 billion euro in EU funds to support economy

Italy has asked the European Union to tap its SURE unemployment scheme for 28.5 billion euros ($33.6 billion) after extending employment support to help the economy withstand the hit from the COVID-19 crisis.…

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Top EU, US female politicians push Facebook to protect women from threats on social media platform

Facebook must step up and protect women in politics from threats of violence and sexism and hate on its platform, said a letter to the company from female members of…

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Greening Aviation: Commission launches public consultation on sustainable aviation fuels

The European Commission has launched a public consultation on measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the aviation sector. The Commission is currently assessing different policy options to boost the development…

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EU eyes softening key state aid demand in Brexit talks: sources

The European Union is willing to compromise to rescue troubled Brexit talks by softening its demand that Britain heed EU rules on state aid in the future, diplomatic sources told Reuters. They…

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Europe’s coronavirus smartphone contact tracing apps explained

More than 20 countries and territories in Europe have launched or plan smartphone apps that seek to break the chain of coronavirus infection by tracking encounters between people and issuing…

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Euro zone retail sales return to pre-pandemic levels

The volume of retail sales in the euro zone rebounded in June to levels recorded in February before lockdowns, official estimates showed on Wednesday, completing a recovery that began in…

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EU to investigate Google’s proposed acquisition of Fitbit

The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess the proposed acquisition of Fitbit by Google under the EU Merger Regulation. The Commission is concerned that the proposed transaction…

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EU-Vietnam trade agreement enters into force

EU exports to Vietnam will be taxed less of this month. This is the immediate effect of the entry into force of the EU-Vietnam trade agreement that will ultimately scrap…

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Carnival cancels planned restart of AIDA Cruises

Carnival Corp said on Monday it had to cancel short trips on AIDA Cruises while it still waits for approvals from Italy. In July, the cruise line said it would…

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France wants EU to withhold funding from states that undermine human rights

France will push for financial sanctions under the EU's 750 billion euro (675 billion pounds) coronavirus recovery fund against states that undermine fundamental human rights, its junior European affairs minister told the…

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EU banks’ stress test to be held in 2021

The European Union's next stress test of leading banks will take place in January next year, with the results published at the end of July 2021, the bloc's banking watchdog said on…

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EU sanctions Russian intelligence, North Korean, Chinese firms over alleged cyberattacks

The European Union on Thursday imposed travel and financial sanctions on a department of Russia's military intelligence service and on firms from North Korea and China over their suspected participation in major cyberattacks…

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EU approves five new cross-border projects for Erasmus+ funding to develop excellence in vocational training in Europe

The Commission has proposed today Erasmus+ funding for five new Platforms of Centres of Vocational Excellence, to meet the needs of an innovative, inclusive and sustainable economy. Funded through Erasmus+ for a…

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UK had Europe’s highest rate of excess deaths during COVID-19 pandemic

The United Kingdom suffered the highest rate of excess deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic in a comparison of 21 European countries, an analysis from Britain's statistics office showed on Thursday.…

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EU readies up to $53 million to boost collection of plasma to fight COVID-19

The European Union has made available up to 45 million euros ($53 million/£40 million) to increase the collection of plasma from COVID-19 survivors for the treatment of people who contract the disease, a…

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EU watchdog tells UK banks to get ready for full Brexit

Banks using Britain as a gateway to the European Union must fully execute their plans for serving EU customers before a Brexit transition period ends in December, the EU's banking watchdog said on…

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U.S. to withdraw about 12,000 troops from Germany but nearly half to stay in Europe

The U.S. military unveiled plans to withdraw about 12,000 troops from Germany, in fallout from President Donald Trump’s long-simmering feud with Berlin but said it will keep nearly half of…

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China and EU to speed up negotiation on investment agreement

China and the European Union will accelerate negotiations in order to conclude a China-EU investment agreement by the end of this year, Chinese Vice Premier Liu He said on Tuesday. China and the EU will also continue…

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EU stimulus package to slightly improve growth prospects

Euro zone economic growth next year will be slightly stronger than previously thought, according to a Reuters poll of forecasters taken after European Union leaders agreed on 750 billion euros to support economies…

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COVID-19 pandemic reinforces need to protect workers from exposure to biological agents

Workplace exposure to biological agents is widespread and linked to a large number of health problems, including infectious diseases, allergies and cancer. An estimated 5,000 workers die each year in…

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Vacation trips, easing of travel rules fuel hopes of business jet rebound

A pick-up in leisure trips and easing European travel restrictions are driving demand for business jet flights this summer, fueling cautious hopes for a rebound in an industry hit hard…

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EIF and European Commission launch new Covid-19 measures supporting micro- and social enterprises

The EIF and the European Commission have launched new COVID-19 support measures under the EaSI Guarantee Instrument (EaSI) to enhance access to finance for micro-borrowers, micro- and social enterprises. The new…

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Joint European debt must not become a common thing – Bundesbank President

A decision by European leaders to issue joint debt to finance coronavirus aid for weaker member states should remain an exemption and not serve as a blueprint for future budget challenges, Bundesbank…

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EU eyes COVID-19 vaccines at less than $40, shuns WHO-led alliance

The European Union is not interested in buying potential COVID-19 vaccines through an initiative co-led by the World Health Organisation as it deems it slow and high-cost, two EU sources told Reuters, noting…

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WTO ruling in EU-Russia dispute confirms legality of some EU rules – EU

The European Commission said on Friday a World Trade Organisation ruling on the European Union's dispute with Russia confirmed the legality of specific EU anti-dumping rules, but raised issues about their practical application. A…

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EU countries must urgently diversify 5G suppliers, Commission says

EU countries must take urgent action to diversify their 5G suppliers, the European Commission said on Friday, a move set to shrink Huawei's presence in Europe as the United States pressured the…

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EU’s Barnier says UK position makes trade deal ‘unlikely’

The European Union's chief Brexit negotiator said on Thursday that the United Kingdom had shown no willingness to break deadlock on the level playing field and fisheries issues, making sealing…

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EU to ease market rules to help COVID hit companies

The European Union will propose "quick fixes" to liberalise its capital markets rules in coming days, which it says are aimed at encouraging investment in companies hurt by the coronavirus crisis, EU…

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EU Council deal restricts Europe’s ability to step into the next decade – EPP

The deal reached by European leaders earlier this week will not be enough to strengthen the EU's role in the coming decade. According to the centre-right EPP Group, the EU…

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EU Recovery right on time say European Socialists

The Party of European Socialists welcomed the EU recovery plan, adopted last Tuesday by the European Council. The plan, which adds to the EU Budget €750 billion of common debt…

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EU recovery plan will stimulate mergers between European banks – Santander

The European leaders' agreement on a massive stimulus plan for their coronavirus battered economies should help kick-start cross-border consolidation in Europe and complete the European banking union, Santander Chairman Ana Botin said. "What…

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Historic EU deal was all about European solidarity – French Foreign Minister

France's foreign minister dismissed accusations by far-left lawmakers that President Emmanuel Macron had struck an EU economic recovery deal that sold Paris short, saying on Tuesday (July 21) it was "historic" and showed European solidarity.…

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European Parliament negotiators react to EU Summit compromise: a positive step for recovery, more need in long-term

Commenting on the conclusions of the 17-21 July EU summit, EP negotiators welcome the recovery fund but warn that their agreement to the long-term EU budget cannot be taken for…

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Historic EU deal: What does it mean for the future of the Union and its Member States

European Union leaders reached a deal on Tuesday on a package of measures to boost their economies after the coronavirus pandemic, agreeing to borrow and spend hundreds of billions of euros in the next few…

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“Exceptional EU package for Malta” – PM Robert Abela as Govt announces allocation of €2.25bn

€2.25bn is the allocation of EU funds for Malta and Gozo for the next seven years. Prime Minister Robert Abela announced this on Twitter this morning, saying this will double the…

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Brexit will split financial markets, says Bank of England appointee

Brexit will make markets less efficient but it won't be disastrous for Britain's economy, an appointee to the Bank of England's Financial Policy Committee (FPC) said on Monday. Britain left…

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EU approves renewable energy generation in Ireland

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a scheme to support electricity production from renewable sources in Ireland. The measure will contribute to the EU environmental objectives…

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Malta-24 News Briefing Tuesday 21st July 2020

Updated 0832: Newspaper Review The Times leads with a decision by a court of appeals to award a family €67,000 in compensation for a building accident that left a woman…

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More than 30% Maltese cannot afford a one-week holiday – Eurostat

In 2019, 30.6% of Maltese said that they could not afford paying for an annual one-week holiday away from home. This was slightly more than the EU average, which stood…

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UPDATED: EU leaders reach deal

Updated 0801 - Charles Michel: Pivotal moment for EuropeSummit chairman Charles Michel expressed his delight at the deal that has been reached in an early morning press conference."This agreement sends a…

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EU leaders struggle with ‘mission impossible’ at deadlocked recovery summit

EU leaders stood at an impasse on Monday after three days of haggling over a plan to revive economies throttled by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the chairman of their near-record-length summit urged them…

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Dutch PM singled out for stalling negotiations at EU Summit

As EU negotiations over a coronavirus recovery fund and a new budget for the bloc ran into an impasse, Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte was singled out by one leader this weekend…

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EU recovery fund plan hangs in balance on day three of deadlocked summit

A European Union plan to breathe life into economies throttled by the coronavirus pandemic hung in the balance on Sunday as leaders quarrelled over how to carve up a vast recovery…

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Saudi hosts G20 talks on virus recovery, debt crisis

G20 finance ministers and central bankers are set to hold talks Saturday aimed at spurring global economic recovery from a coronavirus-triggered recession amid growing calls to widen debt relief for…

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First day of EU summit ends without deal

EU leaders failed on Friday to make headway in negotiations over a massive stimulus plan to breathe life into economies ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic, returning to their Brussels hotels…

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Boosting the EU’s Green Recovery: EU invests over €2 billion in 140 key transport projects to jump-start the economy

The EU is supporting the economic recovery in all Member States by injecting almost €2.2 billion into 140 key transport projects. These projects will help build missing transport links across…

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First images from Solar Orbiter Mission

A handout picture made available by the European Space Agency (ESA) shows a view of the Sun taken by the Polarimetric and Helioseismic Imager (PHI) Full Disc Telescope on ESA's…

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EU leaders gather in Brussels for first face-to-face talks seeking to overcome differences over stimulus plan

European Union leaders will seek to overcome their differences over a proposed stimulus to kick-start economic growth stifled by the coronavirus as they meet in Brussels on Friday for their…

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European Commission calls for action in protecting seasonal workers

The European Commission has presented guidelines to ensure the protection of seasonal workers in the EU in the context of the coronavirus pandemic. It provides guidance to national authorities, labour…

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EU wants to ascertain Google will not use Fitbit data for advertising

EU antitrust enforcers are asking interested parties whether Google's pledge not to use fitness tracker maker Fitbit's health data for its advertising, and to separate the dataset from its own,…

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Top EU court ditches transatlantic data transfer deal

Europe's highest court ruled on Thursday that a transatlantic data transfer deal is invalid because of concerns about U.S. surveillance in a decision that could disrupt thousands of companies that…

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EU budget: Parliament pushes for financial transaction tax and consolidated corporate tax base

As Europe recovers from the coronavirus outbreak, MEPs are insisting on the introduction of new revenue sources to cover the refinancing costs of the recovery instrument, prevent sharp reductions in…

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